Bring it ON!!!!!

Random Acts of Kindness....

Check out the great list on "and then we saved" for lots and lots of Random Acts of Kindness, see what you can do over the Christmas break to bring a smile to some ones face.

Here is the first ten:

1. Befriend the lonely person
2. Introduce yourself to your neighbors
3. Compliment a stranger
4. Sing Christmas Carols at a nursing home - Then have everyone over to your house after for cookies and cocoa
5. Adopt an animal from the pound
6. Donate your talents
7. Send paper thank you notes
8. Pay for the coffee, the toll, or the bus fare for the person behind you
9. Let the person who seems rushed cut in front of you
10. Hold your tongue - Pause before speaking or writing when you are mad, agitated or doubtful

Christmas Gift Giving

I spent yesterday at the local Botanical Gardens taking photos of the flowers and trees to make into cards for my 91 year old Grandmother for her Christmas present.

Here are just some of those photos for your viewing pleasure:

Inspiration

30 Days That Fill Your Cup............

30 Days is enough days to crowd out old habits that don’t serve you and to make new truths for yourself. It will be a simple in the practice self-care, self-love, and to experience acceptance and compassion for self and others.

Fill Your Cup is a 30 day practice. Each day you will receive one loving email to your inbox. Each email will invite you to DO something for yourself as well as a practice to just BE.


Click here to find out more.

Decluttering...............

WOO HOO I did it

I have managed to declutter another 100 items from my home!!!

So that is a total of 200 items consciously from my home!

I am amazed at how much stuff I have gotten rid of and have not made that big a dent in our household items!

I am hoping with my plan to try and declutter 365 things next year I will notice a difference.


1. Wooden CD Tower given to Hospice Shop
2. WW Eating out Guide given to Hospice Shop
3. Cadoo Game given to Hospice Shop
4. Round Mirror - to Hospice Shop
5. Glass Jar to Hospice Shop
6. Old Bathroom Scales to the Hospice Shop
7. Craft paper given to Hospice Shop
8-10 Three old frames of my parents thrown
11. Old computer discs thrown
12. Old Folder thrown
13. Old Towel Thrown
14-15 2 Pairs of Jeans sold on Trade Me
16-17. 2 photo Albums given to Rochelle
18. Book sold on Trade me
19.Old tin used for gift exchange
20. CD sold on Trade me
21-25. 5 Items thrown in inorganic collection
26-28 3 Items used in gift exchange
29. Old pair of shoes thrown
30-32 Three trays donated to Garage Sale
33 An old bikes of Liams donated to Garage sale
34. Book donated to Garage Sale
35-36. Bowl and Platter donated to Garage Sale
37. Old but New Coconut drink container donated to Garage Sale
38. Set of wine glass charms donated to Garage Sale.
39-42 4 Items of clothing donated to Garage Sale
43. Crop o dile sold on trade me
44-47. Eylets sets sold with crop o dile on trade me
48. Hanger donated to garage sale
49-50. Stampin Up heat gun and embossing powder sold on Trade Me.
51-57. 7 pairs of shoes put into the inorganic collection
58. Old bag in inorganic
59. Old Frypan in the inorganic
60-80.Cleared out old clothes of Liams - thrown and placed in clothing bin.
81-88.Used 8 tins to craft up nephews and cousins kids Christmas gift.
89-90 2 Pairs of Courtneys shoes donated to clothing bin
91-92. 2 Old sheets thrown out
93. My old back pack thrown out
94. Favourite Dress Thrown out that was wearing thin :(
95. Pair of shoes thrown
96. Old sunglasses thrown as broken
97. Bag strap thrown as not required
98-100. Threw out 2 pairs of old shoes and some jeans on hubbys!

Home Made Christmas Gift................

Inspired by this picture - I decided to make "Ice Cream Sundae Making Kits" for the children that I give gifts to at Christmas.

They are 3 nephews and 1 niece along with 4 boy second cousins and  2 girl second cousins (My cousins kids!)

So thats 10 children that I need to give a christmas gift too and of which I like to "make" them something special each year.  Now two of them are under 1 so they didn't keep a kit as such just part of it.





Past gifts have been:
Family Summer Fun Buckets - Just add water! (water bombs, water guns, etc)
Individual Treasure Boxes for keeping speacial things in
Canvas with name and photo on it


So I had been storing collecting hoarding these tins  below and have wanted to use them for something as I couldn't bring myself to throw them out - I mean look at them - they have to be good for something! (there are more I am ashamed to say but not many more - LOL)

 

Ok so now that I knew what I wanted to do with them - they needed to be covered:
Thats when little people are brought in to help with the gluing!

Liam holding onto the tin while I apply the glue

Roughed up a bit

 

Held together waiting for the glue to dry

I also roughed them up a bit with sandpaper to help the glue and paper adhere together.

I  had already measured the tins before gluin and cut some black paper to wrap around the tins, they are slightly longer than the paper I had so I needed to add a little bit onto the end.

Double sided tape used to add the extra.

 

Once that was done I "banded" them all in different colours along with co-ordinating lids and attached a front label



All banded and waiting for the front label

I also used stickers to write there name on the lids.

Looking pretty

Close up of the label. - I am still on the look out for larger ice cream themed stickers to add to the label as I think therse are too small - not worried if I don't as I am sure the kids don't care.

 

Now to add the ingredients - This part took a while to decided exactly what I wanted to  put in and as I had already purchased different sized little containers so I needed to be able to use them up.

Pictured is 100's & 1000's, mini M&Ms, Baking jelly beans, Chocolate Hail, and some other sprinkles

I couldn't resist there cellophane bags and filled them up with mini marshmallows!

 





 Now every ice Cream Sundae needs a special bowl to be enjoyed in don't they:

This size one was for my cousins children and they are in this blue, green and a pink one.

These ones are for my nephews - all blue ones

 

The all also got a spoon with there name engraved on them

The larger dishes got the longer dessert spoons and the smaller ones just a normal teapsoon.

 

I then hunted thru my other stored collected hoarded items and located gift bags to put them in individually.

Here they are already and waiting for there label - JUST ADD ICE CREAM!!!!

 

The two littles are getting dishes and spoons and a little something extra since they are too small for the ice cream sundae toppings. - I hope to upload a photo soon of the extra gift - just finishing them off.

YUMMY!

Pinched from Chris's blog  (thanks Chris)

 

 

WOW Doesnt' this look Yummy

Just like Chris said

I think I am going to try to recreate this too!!!

The New LIST!!!

With my birthday only a few weeks away - I have finally compiled my list of 45 Things to do before Turning 45! Lets hope I complete more than last year.

Some I have rolled over from last year that I still need to complete or want to try and complete this year.






1. Complete 52 Scrapbook pages

2. Attend at least one theatre event

3. Go to the movies at least 3 times

4. Make 2013 Christmas Cards

5. Progress to E Grade at Squash

6. Declutter 365 items -  sell, throw, give away

7. Get a hot stone massage

8. Get a Mehndi/Henna Tattoo

9. Leave a note inside a book 12 times

10. Finish the Goddess Leonie e-courses

11. Complete a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle

12. Learn to eat with chopsticks

13. Try 3 new pieces of fruit

14. Complete 29 Days of Gift Giving

15. Try 3 new vegetables

16. Complete sewing on the badges onto guide blanket

17. Visit a Naturopath

18. Celebrate our 20^th Wedding Anniversary

19. Go to Erotica (August-ish)

20. Got to Girls Day out

21. Get book of me up to date

22. Get Courtney’s Album completed up to end of 2011

23. Get Liam’s Album completed up to end of 2011

24. Visit SPCA

25. Ride a Segway

26. Give away 10.00 per month

27. Put change in an expired parking meter

28. Visit a photo booth and get photos done

29. Donate Blood

30. Go to Big Gay Out day in Auckland with Angela (February 2013)

31. Use own bags at shopping at least once a month for a year

32. Get Sewing machine serviced

33. Learn how to hem my own trousers

34. Organise and action 4 family outings

35. Get Wills up to date

36. Go to four different markets

37. Loose 12 kilos

38. Organise a clothing/accessory swap.

39. Complete the Radical Self Love Course

40. Travel somewhere in NZ not soccer related

41. Complete Angela’s Cross Stitch

42. Have a facial

43. Have 2 sets of friends over for dinner

44. Attend 2 other Ceroc classes

45. Remove Overdraft

New Perfume......

Hubby just got back from four days in Fiji for a soccer tournament and surprised me with this!

How thoughtful of him.

(Another item crossed off "The List")

LOVE IT!!!

Inspirational Words.....

Always room for inspiration! And clearing out folders in my computer!

I WON!!!!

OH My Gosh

I won something!!!

I entered into the draw over on Crashnotes for Noras 12 Tags of Christmas Course ...........

and I won!!!

Woo hoo - can't wait for Monday for it to start!!!

Any one else joined up????

14 Day Kindness Challenge.......

Random Acts of Kindness

Check out this cool challenge! - I'm joining in - are you????

A little bit of Crafting...........

So I am not sure how many of you are into crafts but Nora at Just Make stuff has a course up now to help you craft up some christmas magic!

Here is an excerpt from her blog:

12 Tags for Christmas is focused on making holiday preparations fun. The class will also include an organizational component with plenty of resources to help you make all of your lists and check them twice!

The cost is $12 USD which includes twelve different days of gift tag making themes that will be shared on a private class blog on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from November 5th until November 30th. The class will also include numerous PDF files that you can download to create your own holiday planner...gift lists, party planning, and much more.
There will also be giveaways each day from amazing class sponsors like rubber stamps from Catslife Press and new holiday collection items from Life Love Paper.
You can purchase the class by clicking the Pay Pal link on her blog. You will receive an e-mail later next week with a link to the blog and password so you'll be already to start holiday planning on November 5th.

So if you would love to to create like the lovely Nora - go sign up for the course now - it starts in a few days time - I'm enrolling!

The List Updated!!!!

WOW - I haven't updated this list since July and with just over a month to my birthday (yah me!) I thought I better see where I am at. comments in Red:

Bit of a boring read probably but more for my records!

44 Things to do before Turning 44!
1. Lose 12 kgs this year - (10/12) Start 118kg
Ekk this is a lost cause at the moment as I am back to only 2 kilos lighter than a year ago!!!

2. Attend 2 walking events Not important now

3. Visit a Naturopath
I haven't visited a Naturopath as such but I did go to the health food shop and got some supplements so I will call this  partially done!

4. Get a manicure-
Done 03.02.12

5. Get a pedicure
Done 03.02.12

6. Have a facial
NOPE  - bummer and not likely to be achieved in time either

7. Purchase an expensive perfume
NOPE - and another not likely to be achieved - in fact I haven't purchsed any perfume at all!

8. Purchase Goddess Leonie Circle Subscription ($99 USD)
Purchased 02.07.12

9. Listen to and complete the E-courses of Goddess Leonie’s
I am about to commence my first course on this one, I will transfer this over to the new list and see how many more I can complete

10. Purchase Gala Darlings Radical Self Love Boot camp ($100 USD)
Purchased 02.02.12 for USD$50.00 - SO VERY HAPPY NOW!

11. Begin the Process of Radical Self Love
Began 03.02.12

12. Purchase a new CD Not important now

13. Visit the Dentist
A BIG FAT NO!!!! But needs to be done!!!

14. Complete one week without saying anything mean about someone else each month
First month - not good! Second Month - Good! Third Month - Good! 4th Month - Good! 5th Month - Good!6th Month - Good! HAve deemed this one not important anymore as I am no longer as angry at work!

15. Go to Caluzzi Bar with Friends
A fanatastic night in September was enjoyed at Caluzzi with great friends!!

16. Go to one theatre event
Didn't make it - funds got a bit tight!

17. Attend an auction house auction
It didn't happen but still would like to attend one - maybe next year.

18. Go to at least three different markets (Farmers or Craft)
1.Attended Clevedon Farmers Market 29.01.12 - okay-bit expensive.
2.Attended Pukekohe Farmes Market 25.02.12 - Great market lot of goodies
 Didn't get to number three but will still try and attend a different market this summer!

19. Go to the movies at least 5 times either solo or with someone
OH how sad am I didn't go at all in the last 11 months!!!

20. Attend a community/night class (belly Dancing?)
NOPE!!!! Nothing caught my eye!

21. Try a new alcoholic cocktail
I tried three new ones at Caluzzi!

22. Get Courtney’s Album completed up to end of 2010 at least
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

23. Get Liam’s Album completed up to end of 2010 at least
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

24. Complete Heritage Album
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

25. Ensure all old photos are in my album
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

26. Have a weekend away with Angela scrapbooking
At her house with no children 7/8th January

27. Hand make 2012 Christmas cards
still needs to be done! - Should be done as I like to post our my Christmas cards on the 1st of December!

28. Complete Courtneys X-stitch for Angela
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

29. Finish Sewing on Guide Blanket
still needs to be done! - but won't be completed within the month

30. Attend a local concert
30.01.12 Hello Sailor At Papakura

31. Have a BBQ at our place - NOPE!!!!

32. Have three different sets of friends over for dinner
1. Juliet and kids over for dinner in February
NOPE Didn't happen but we went to other peoples placed quite a bit!

33. Travel somewhere in NZ – not soccer related!
Kapiti Dance Champs 16/17 March

34. See an outdoor movie - NOPE!!!

35. Take the kids up the sky tower ($50.00 for3, $61 for Family Pass-4)
Done 31.01.12

36. Take Nana out at least 3 times
1. High Tea with Cousins and Nana 11.02.12
2. Drive to Pukekohe for Shopping 10.03.12
3. Lunch with Blakes Ladies and Nana 10.06.12

37. Organise and action at least 3 family outings
1. 24.12.11 Stardome Observatory
2. 29.02.12 All Whites versus Jamaica at Mt Smart Stadium
Crickey just could find another to do - altho we did all go away with Liams soccer team to Taupo so partial count!

38. Got to at least 6 other Ceroc franchise classes.
1. Pakuranga Class 9/1/12 $15.00
Another sad sack I am - no other Ceroc classes attended!

39. Attend at least 2 other Ceroc franchise workshops
Ladies Workshop in Lorne Street 04.02.12 $30.00
Styling Workshop in Onehunga 19.02.12 $30.00

40. Declutter 100 Items – Can be sold, thrown, given away (100/100)
Achieved 04.06.12

41. Get our Wills up to date - Not yet done!!!!

42. Remove overdraft - NOPE!!!!

43. Reduce spending on Visa
Janaury - success! February - not as good! March - not good! April - so so!May -opps! June got payment from club so visa now back to managble level!
Rest of the year wasn't the best! - will try again in the new year!

44. Increase repayments to PSIS Overdraft
DONE 04.01.12 Increased from 50 to 100 per month

Updated 31.10.12

So thats it - now to compile the new list - lets hope I achieve more next year!

Buzz on the Web

I have a few linky loves for you that I have located on my computer - hope you enjoy them:

Zen Habits explores - How to wait less

How to loose weight - the sparkly self love way

Are you open to the world???

Want to know how to organise stuff without spending money - I sure do!

Some strategies to getting healthy.

20 Things life is too short to tolerate!

Are you open to the world???

How normal are you??

Mindful Simplicity!

Inspirational Quotes

Allfrom Courage Hope Strength Website

Titbits from a ten year old..........

My lovely son Liam comes out with the funniest things sometimes:

Last night at dinner I was pouring myself a glass of milk to have with dinner.

Liams says - "What! do you drink that raw???" (meaning the milk)

I reply - "of course thats how your drink it - how else do you drink it???"
Liams reply - "You know with sugar and milo????"

BLESS!!!!

90 Day Transformation Project

Head on over to  A life of Perfect Days to sign up for the 90 Day Transformation Project

It will hopefully help you make your dreams come true!

Go check it out today as Day one started today!!

Good Luck